The Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA) yesterday filed a judicial protest against the Transport Federation in connection with the continuing strike and linked instances of violence.

FATTA filed the protest against the Gozo Bus Owners Association, the MiniBuses Cooperative, the Motor Hearses Association, the Public Transport Association and White Taxis Amalgamated.

FATTA said that its members informed it that on Wednesday, 32 coaches which were to take some 900 cruise liner passengers on excursions were cancelled, along with a number of routine day excursions for 450 tourists.

The Federation said that the strike being staged by the defendants was futile was only leading to damage of Malta’s tourism industry as well as substantial financial loss for FATTA members.

FATTA also said that the defendants should try and understand and respect the fundamental principles behind fair competition in a free market where there is no place for monopolies, abuse by those in dominant market positions and cartels.

The complainants appealed for the defendants to reconsider their strike and held them legally responsible for any damages incurred.